The Georgia Bulldogs have been perennial contenders in the Kirby Smart era. Through to this point in his tenure in Athens, coach Smart has overseen dynastic success. A huge chunk of this success is a result of his proficiency in his Xs and Os. But Georgia being this good year in and year out stems from the culture Kirby Smart has instilled. The Dawgs have an identity that they hardly waver from on the gridiron. Begrudgingly, though, they’ve also made a bit of a negative identity off it. An ancillary branch of Georgia’s culture that Smart tries to take a proverbial axe and cut. But it seems to keep growing back. It’s that one elephant in the room every Georgia fan wants to turn a blind eye to their players’ driving misdemeanors. Over 25 Georgia players have had DUIs issued to them, with even more speeding and street racing cases. 

Athens has gained notoriety as a hotspot for valuable talent driving recklessly in their even more valuable cars. One of many such cases includes former D-tackle and now Super Bowl champ Jalen Carter. The Eagles’ superstar was involved in a car crash, which resulted in the death of Georgia staff member Chandler LeCroy and player Devin Willock. LeCroy, with Willock riding shotgun, was racing Carter. She was under the influence, too. Carter continues to be followed by both legal trouble from the authorities and resentment from the football sphere. Not to mention the possibility of survivor’s guilt. Both the school and the local authorities have attempted to implement stricter repercussions and even changed motor laws in the area around campus. But Smart’s guys just seem to not be smart guys behind the wheel. A couple more players have just added to this epidemic.

Sophomore WR Nitro Tuggle was arrested earlier this week for excessive speeding and reckless driving. Even the seriousness of this matter can’t undercut how ironic that first name is. I mean, he’s a receiver too! Alas, DawgsQH, via On3, reports Tuggle has been indefinitely suspended following the arrest. He’s not the only one Kirby Smart and the Georgia brass have brought down the hammer on. The report also states redshirt sophomore O-lineman Marques Easley has been suspended. Sports Illustrated reports that anonymous sources have told them, “Easley was involved in a single-car crash earlier in the week, requiring a stint in the hospital.” UGA declined to comment further in their own statement after relaying the news of the suspensions.

An Indiana native, Nitro Tuggle was a 4-star prospect coming out of high school. As a true freshman last season, he got minutes in 8 of Georgia’s 14 games. Most of his action came on special teams. Tuggle got minutes as a receiver in two games against Tennessee Tech and Tennessee. He had 3 receptions across them, which went for 34 yards. Tuggle would’ve been a much more prominent feature of Mike Bobo’s offense in 2025. But a dark cloud has now rendered over his involvement. Marques Easley, on the other hand, redshirted. Hailing from Illinois, he too was rated 4 stars in the class of ‘24. 

Kirby Smart must be dreading facing the media after yet another motor-related issue at his program. He doesn’t have a presser scheduled before Tuesday, so more details could surface prior to his own verdict on what’s gone down. Speaking of Kirby Smart’s pressers, he did relay some key information regarding the future of the QB position during his last one. The succession plan for Carson Beck is now all but officialized.

Kirby Smart and a prominent analyst concur about who shall be Georgia’s next QB1

Class of ‘22 quarterback Gunner Stockton has more than been patient. When Carson Beck forwent the NFL draft (weird, it’s happened twice!) and returned to Athens for one more season in 2024, it would’ve been rational for Stockton to hit the portal and look for a starting role elsewhere. But he stayed ten toes down. As a Georgia native, being QB for the Bulldogs probably just means that little bit more. After all, Stockton has shown to be someone who leans into his intangibles. Something that was on full display when he got thrust into the SEC championship game after halftime. Then-backup Gunner led a turnaround for Kirby Smart and Co. This is baked into why On3’s JD PicKell reckons he’ll beat out his closest competitor, Ryan Puglisi, in this race. PicKell leveraged his thoughts over the On3 YouTube channel.

“When you talk about who I expect to be their quarterback next season, I think it’s going to be Gunner Stockton.” PicKell alluded to Stockton’s ability to move the sticks with his legs as a feather in his cap. “He brings a different skill set to this offense. I think when you talk about how [Georgia] are going to run the football next season, a lot of it could be Gunner Stockton.” This claim was followed by Kirby Smart, acknowledging that Ryan Puglisi needs time to learn Bobo’s system and schemes. Similar to how Stockton had to bide his time, Puglisi will need to, too.

“[Puglisi] does have a long way to go as far as learning exactly what we’re asking him to do,” Coach Smart said during his spring presser. “The command of the offense. The volume of the offense. He’s getting better at all those things.” Smart also called Puglisi a “competitor”  who came to the program for the right reasons. Well, this statement does imply Gunner gets the job in the fall. All the signs point to him finally getting his opportunity to shine in the sun. He hopes to make the most of it. As someone who’s shown leadership during his short-lived but effective playing time last season, perhaps Stockton can help get his team to stop getting into incessant trouble around driving.